Glossary

 

Note: Definitions used here apply specifically to Trichomycetes and their arthropod hosts.
 

allantoid Slightly curved with rounded ends.
amoebagenesis Development of amoeboid cells within a thallus of an Amoebidiales.
appendages Non-motile filamentous structures attached basally to trichospores of Harpellales or to one or both ends of sporangiospores of Eccrinales.
arbusculate Tree-like in shape.
arthrospores Spores formed as a result of disarticulation of vegetative cells in a thallus of Asellariales.
auxiliary spore A cell that arises from a generative cell, but without appendages and after release capable of germinating in the gut where it was produced (see Allantomyces).
axenic Living without the presence of other organisms. May refer to a pure culture of a fungus, or to an arthropod that has no microorganisms either internally or externally.
basipetal Sequential development of sporangiospores or trichospores from the apex of a branch, or thallus toward the base.
clavate Club-like, narrowing in the direction of the base.
coenocytic An aseptate, multinucleate thallus.
collar A structure that remains attached to the base of a trichospore after it detaches from the generative cell.
commensal An organism that benefits from its association with another organism, but neither benefits nor harms the host.
conjugant Either cell of a pair that conjugates (copulates), a process which eventually produces a zygote or zygospore.
coraloid Much branched, like a coral in form.
cuticle In the gut of arthropods, a lining secreted by epithelial cells of the foregut, or hindgut that consists of chitinous and non-chitinous materials. Also refers to the outer layers of nematode bodies and to the exoskeleton of arthropods.
cyst A thick-walled spherical body that develops after amoebae of Amoebidiales cease to migrate, the cyst later produces cystospores. Also refers to the thick-walled and usually ellipsoidal cells of Harpellales that develop in the ovaries of the adult insect host.
cystospores Elongate spores produced within the cyst of an Amoebidiales.
dimorphic Producing two morphologically distinct forms such as two sizes or shapes of trichospores (Harpellales) or two sizes of thalli (Eccrinales).
eccrinid Any species of Eccrinales.
ecdysis The developmental process whereby the exoskeleton of arthropods is shed including cuticular linings of the gut and respiratory system.
eucarpic Only part of the thallus forms reproductive structures.
extrusion An in vivo process where the single sporangiospore within a trichospore (sporangium) is expelled and attaches to the gut lining and initiates growth. Can also be induced in vitro. In the older literature also referred to as trichospore germination.
exuvia The cast-off exoskeleton of arthropods (see ecdysis).
generative cell A specialized reproductive cell of Harpellales that produces an external trichospore and within which one or more appendages may also form.
harpellid Any species of Harpellales.
heterothallic A condition in which sexual reproduction will not occur except with another compatible thallus.
holdfast A specialized structure that attaches a thallus to the substrate. It may consist of a secreted substance with a characteristic shape, or the entire basal cell of the thallus (the holdfast cell) may be modified for attachment.
holocarpic The entire thallus forms reproductive structures.
homothallic A condition in which sexual reproduction can occur in one thallus without requiring a sexual partner.
hypha One of the filaments of a fungus.
lentic Pertaining to standing, or still waters, such as a pool, pond, or lake.
lotic Pertaining to running, or flowing waters, such as a stream.
Malpighian tubes (or tubules) A set of excretory diverticula located at the anterior end of the hindgut of insects and some other arthropods.
molt  To shed the exoskeleton, and any associated cuticular linings during ecdysis in arthropods. Also, as a noun, refers to the shed skin (exoskeleton) or exuvia.
monomorphic Having one morphological form.
multivoltine Reproducing more than once a year, as in insects.
nomen dubium (nom. dub.) A name which, although technically valid, cannot be satisfactorily typified due to an insufficient description or questionable interpretation of the fungal material described.
nomen nudum (nom. nud.) A name which has not been validly published according to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
obpyriform Pear-shaped, but with attachment at the widest part.
peritrophic membrane A thin, tubular membrane of chitin and protein continuously secreted by a ring of cells surrounding the anterior end of the midgut of an insect, serving to protect delicate epithelial cells of the midgut from abrasion.
petaloid Broad (like a flowerpetal).
phytotelm A plant that holdswater, such as in its leaf bases, or floral bracts.
primary infestation sporangiospore A usually thick-walled, one- to four-nucleate, asexual eccrinid spore which serves as a dissemination unit to infect other individual hosts.
resistant spore A thick-walled spore believed to remain viable under adverse conditions, such as desiccation.
scalariform Ladder-like.
secondary infestation sporangiospore A thin-walled asexual eccrinid spore, usually multinucleate, that can germinate within the gut where it was produced, thus increasing the number of thalli in the gut without external recruitment.
shaken cultures Cultures grown in liquid medium contained in a flask and kept on an orbital or reciprocal shaker throughout the period of growth.
spore mother-cell A germinated sporangiospore of an Eccrinales that has given rise to a new thallus. It is usually seen at the apex of the developing thallus, and may either persist to maturity of the thallus or disintegrate during thallial growth.
sporangiospore An asexual spore produced within a sporangium.
substrate Material on, or in which an organism is growing or to which it is attached.
thallus Entire body of a fungus.
trichospore A deciduous sporangium of Harpellales that usually has one or more appendages attached to its base, serving to disseminate the fungus from host to host. It contains a single uninucleate sporangiospore, and develops externally as an outgrowth from a generative cell.
vegetative propagule A cell produced from a vegetative branch of a harpellid thallus that functions to produce another thallus within the same gut (see Graminella).
verrucose Having small rounded processes or warts on the surface.
univoltine Reproducing only once a year.
zygospore A thick-walled sexual spore resulting from the fusion of two nuclei (karyogamy); usually preceded by the fusion of two cells (plasmogamy).
zygosporophore The cell that supports a zygospore.